Israel SitRep: Nov. 16, 2023

Today’s Issue: Six Injured in Shooting Attack Near Jerusalem, Perpetrators Shot and Killed | IDF Releases Photos and Video of Military Equipment Found in Shifa Hospital | IDF Captures Gaza Harbor, Demolishes Gaza Parliament Building | IDF Launches Airstrike on Home of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh | Latest FDD Analysis

Six Injured in Shooting Attack Near Jerusalem, Perpetrators Shot and Killed: Six people were injured, one critically, in a shooting attack near the tunnel checkpoint south of Jerusalem on Thursday morning. In a search of the terrorists’ car, which had been stopped for inspection at the checkpoint, police found two axes, two pistols, two M16 rifles, about 10 loaded magazines, hundreds of bullets, and uniforms resembling those of the IDF. The three terrorists were shot and killed. According to police, the car had false license plates. Two of the men were residents of the Hebron area affiliated with Hamas. Police are still attempting to verify the identity of the third man. Also found in the vehicle were uniforms resembling those of the Israeli military. Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai stated that based on the large quantity of weaponry, “there is no doubt that the intention was to carry out a massacre.”

IDF Releases Photos and Video of Military Equipment Found in Shifa Hospital: The IDF on November 15 released photos and showed a video of weapons found during its overnight raid on Shifa hospital, including grenades, assault rifles, and flak jackets. According to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, “These assets … prove that hospitals have been used for military purposes for terror, in direct opposition to international law.” Hagari stated that the army also found Hamas uniforms on the hospital floor that the terrorists left so they could escape disguised as civilians. IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus told a BBC reporter taken on a tour of Shifa that the army discovered laptops with hostage photos and videos as well as Israeli police footage of interrogations of Hamas members. The IDF’s Shaldag unit and 36th Division are continuing “focused” searches in the hospital.

IDF Captures Gaza Harbor, Demolishes Gaza Parliament Building: Thursday, the IDF announced that Shayetet 13 naval commandos and the 188th Brigade took control of Gaza’s harbor, which Hamas used for training naval commandos and launching attacks on Israel. During the operation, soldiers found and destroyed 10 tunnel shafts, killed 10 terrorists, and took over four buildings. The Hamas attacks on October 7 also included attacks from the sea. On Wednesday, the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade and Golani Infantry Brigade demolished Gaza’s parliament building, which the army captured two days before.

IDF Launches Airstrike on Home of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh: Israeli fighter jets struck the Gaza home of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, on November 16. According to the IDF, the home was “used as terrorist infrastructure and often served as a meeting point for Hamas’ senior leaders to direct terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers.” Although Haniyeh lives in Qatar, senior Hamas officials often used his Gaza home for meetings. The army also released footage of the attack on Haniyeh’s home.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Don’t know much about Middle Eastern history,” Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

“How Hamas Seeks to Benefit from the Gaza War,” Seth J. Frantzman, The National Interest

“UAE, Saudi Arabia, Gulf states increase aid to Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners,” Jonathan Schanzer, Testimony for House Ways and Means Committee

“Hostages at center of Israel’s focus,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hidden Hamas Headquarters at Gaza Hospital Reached by Israeli Forces,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Battles Palestinian Terrorists in West Bank City of Tulkarm,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief